“The act of creating is itself a reflection — a dialogue between the conscious and the soul.”
About Me
As an abstract expressionist painter, I draw inspiration from a range of past and present artists whom I regard as “color theorists.” These artists passionately delve into the relationship between color and our psycho-emotional responses, guiding my artistic journey. My process is both intuitive and informed by education, deepening my understanding of how color can either enhance or detract from our visual experiences while shaping narratives on the canvas.
Among the myriad artists who have inspired my work, a few stand out spectacularly. Piet Mondrian has profoundly influenced me with his strategic use of geometric abstractions and primary colors, teaching me the power of creating more by working with less and the importance of negative space. Paul Klee's mastery of color theory and tone has further inspired me, showcasing how depth can emerge through abstraction.
I also owe much to abstractionists like Elaine de Kooning, Frank Stella, Mercedes Matter, Franz Kline, and Willem de Kooning—all of whom have shaped my artistic path. Additionally, I draw profound strength from contemporary artists such as Sergio Aranda, Jeffrey Tover, Sam Duplessis, Tania Carrara, Kris Gebhardt, Xavier Baxter, Debbie Taylor Kerman, Nathan Paddison, Deanna Fainelli, and John Gerber. Their innovative approaches have helped me refine my techniques in abstract art and creatively repurpose everyday tools into multifunctional art supplies.
Examples of My Work
Fun Facts
- • Career: I was a practicing psychologist.
- • Awards: I won two consecutive National Endowment for the Arts Grants in Creative Writing
- • History: At 12 years old I narrowly escaped a stampede of buffalos--aka "The Teton Heard" on a road trip through Wyoming
- • History: At 28 years old I successfully convinced a high school that I could teach Geometry and Pre-Calculus--both of which I nearly failed in high school.
- • History: While in graduate school I once baked an apple pie from scratch for famed American poet, Mary Oliver.
More About Me
What do you wish you could tell your younger artist self?
Not to take the creative process so seriously as if it were a rigid and prescriptive journey.
If your life had a theme song
It's Difficult Being Me
Which artist (famous or not) has influenced you the most and how?
While there are many artists who have and continue to influence me, I have to say it is Paul Klee who made a profound impact early on in my creative career. He embodied all of the characteristic skills in his art that I try to emulate to this day--whimsy, color theory, non-traditional shapes, a distorted realism lens, and an expressionist ideological vision that rejects realism.